Call for Papers and Collaborations

Urban and Regional Planning Conference (URPC-II) 2023 provides an international forum for exchange of ideas and recent developments in research activities in Universities and industries on topical issues surrounding urban and regional planning across the Africa Region.

The Department of Urban and Regional Planning of the University of Nairobi will convene its second annual conference (URPC-II) in October 2023. This year, the conference seeks to advance regional and global conversations on strengthening resilience through spatial planning to attain sustainable development in Africa. As Africa continues to urbanize at a rapid rate, there is need to build resilience in urban and rural areas by centering the role of spatial planning in driving sustainable development.

The conference will be a two-day interactive session comprising of paper presentations, key note speakers, plenary discussions and exhibitions.

The Conference invites state agencies, non-state actors, research and academic institutions as well as private entities to collaborate and partner in hosting the conference, sponsoring conference activities and exhibitions.

The call is open to individuals, activists, firms, academics, state, non-state, think tanks, innovators, research institutions, and students from local and international in the fields of Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Urban Management, Development Studies, Real Estate, Architecture, Environmental Science, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences and Engineering. Contributions are encouraged along the following Sub-Themes:

Theme:                     ‘Strengthening Resilience through Spatial Planning for Sustainable Development in Africa’

Sub Themes

  1. Urban Risks, disasters and Resilience.
  2. Climate change and resilience.
  3. Mapping vulnerability and coping strategies.
  4. Mainstreaming resilience in spatial plans.
  5. Human settlement and infrastructure resilience.
  6. Green urban economy.
  7. Livelihood strategies.
  8. Sustainable development.
  9. Food and Nutrition Security
  10. Value addition strategies and manufacturing
  11. Resilience Planning initiatives in response to “Leave no one behind”

Abstract and Paper Timelines

Abstracts of papers and concept of exhibitions are to be sent by 15th August 2023 to email address. Accepted abstracts will be communicated by 31st August 2023. Full papers should be submitted by 30th September 2023 with full payments.

Scientific and practice abstracts:

  • Language: English
  • Theme (select one from the 9 sub-themes listed)
  • Title:  max 10 words (sentence case)
  • Abstract: max 350 words. All abstract submissions should target one or more of the conference sub-themes and articulate the objectives, methods, results and conclusions/discussions.
  • Keywords: max 3 keywords of own choice
  • Author’s name, country, organization, email. The presenting author (not necessarily the first author) .
  • Presentation location: Nairobi or in a virtual session

Paper Submission Guidelines

  • Cover page.
  • Introduction.
  • Research Problem/Purpose.
  • Rationale.
  • Theoretical/Conceptual Underpinning (if applicable).
  • Methodology/Methods/Research Approach.
  • Results/Findings and Originality.
  • Conclusions or recommendations.
  • Reference List.

Other Guidelines:

  1. The paper should be in English Language.
  2. The paper should not exceed Ten (10) pages including abstract title and authors details.

Exhibitions Instructions

Exhibitors should attempt to thematically match their works/displays with the theme of the conference. Organization/individuals can only organize up to one exhibition. All organizers must submit their own requests. All applications should be submitted through the conference organizing committee. Potential exhibitors are highly encouraged to apply as soon as the application period starts and well in advance of the deadline, in order to allow for sufficient time to address and resolve any queries/issues that may arise. Only complete applications received within the deadlines will be considered. Exhibitors to submit their application by 30th August 2023 to email address….. Accepted exhibition applications will be communicated by 10th September 2023 and payment to be done by 30th of September 2023 for space allocation.

Spaces for exhibitions will be available in the ADD Building. The maximum space allocated for each exhibitor is 3 meters (length) and 3 meters (width). Due to the limited space in the building, it will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. We anticipate having around 20 exhibitors (Government, private sector, Civil Society Organizations, Professional bodies, Universities, Research Institutes, UN agencies and Development partners and bilateral agencies such as JICA, SIDA etc). All exhibitors are responsible for the mounting of their exhibits. They will be allocated a focal point who will supervise the installation works at all times.

HOST: The Department of Urban and Regional Planning, the University of Nairobi.

THEME: ‘Strengthening Resilience through Spatial Planning for Sustainable Development in Africa’

IMPORTANT DATES

Conference Registration Opening1st September 2023
Conference Registration Closing13th October 2023
Conference DatesOctober Tuesday 24th – Wednesday 25th 2023
ExhibitionsMonday 23rd to Friday 27th October 2023

Earn 15 CPD Points by registering and participating in the second URPC-II 2023.

CONFERENCE FEES

All students                                      Free Entry.
E.A. participants                              USD 25/ KSHS 2500
International participants                USD 50/KSHS 5000
Exhibitors                                       Ksh. 20,000

We look forward to seeing you in URPC-II 2023, ADD Building, Statehouse Road, Nairobi.

For more information, contact

Dr. Romanus Opiyo, URPC 2022 Committee Chair. Email: ropiyo@uonbi.ac.ke

Dr. Musyimi Mbathi, Committee Member. Email: mbathi@uonbi.ac.ke

Dr. Elizabeth Wamuchiru, Committee Member. Email: ewkanini@uonbi.ac.ke